Noisy S.

[seekaleak]

Hi all,may have a possible problem with my MCS/JCW.
I have noticed a noise from the gearbox/clutch when the car is in neutral
and the clutch pedal not depressed.The noise stops when I press the clutch in.
Have any of you noticed this on your cars,( MCS's only ) my cooper didn't make this noise.
BMW say bring it in for a check up,but I'm wondering if it is a trait of the car.
Be grateful if you listen out for it and let me know.CHEERS

[pflowers]

No noise on mine, get it checked.

[pflowers]

I am sure I have read others complaining of this, try a search.

[RedUn]

according to BMW this is jus wot S's do

they all do it

[mini_mad1]

its actually the clutch release bearing making the noise! you could have it replaced but 9/10 times the same noise will come back. And it is a trait of the S and many other cars aswell. Hope that helps

[Johnny225]

Mine doesn't have it!

[EBMCS03]

I have it... its really really really slight... i'll mention it to the dealer but not sure if they'll do anything about it.

[kyriian]

if you lift your clutch VERY slowly you can feel a small snap almost in the clutch before it continues to go up... i don't know if it's the noise you are referring to

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini_mad1

its actually the clutch release bearing making the noise! you could have it replaced but 9/10 times the same noise will come back. And it is a trait of the S and many other cars aswell. Hope that helps

Mine was very loud, and after a battle a new gearbox clutch and flywheel were fitted, now no noise... mine had rattled since new, and was getting prgessively louder... mini know its a fault, something to do with tolerancing on a bearing on the layshaft....

mine had a clutch release bearing and it made no difference, although mine was very loud !!!

[ScottyB]

Quote: Originally Posted by northandy

Mine was very loud, and after a battle a new gearbox clutch and flywheel were fitted, now no noise... mine had rattled since new, and was getting prgessively louder... mini know its a fault, something to do with tolerancing on a bearing on the layshaft....

mine had a clutch release bearing and it made no difference, although mine was very loud !!!

You had a new gearbox fitted? Or just the clutch?

[boothy]

mine makes a nosie but if i start the car with the clutch in it never does it
its wores if i put it in neutral without clutch and start the engine without the clucth
so till u get it checked use cluthch
iv only done 1500miles so i was waiting abit bfore going to dealer so is it a fault or trait please let me now the out come cheers boothy

[NTHUSIAST]

I have a an '04 Cooper S (Sept build), and I have noticed the sound you're talking about. I have spent a lot of time trying to pin point exactly where it might be coming from.

The sound is fairly quiet (need to listen with radio off, and preferably with climate fan off as well). If you have your car in neutral, and clutch to the floor, the car idles very quietly (as it should).

If you leave the car in neutral and release the clutch, the sound starts right at the catch point on the clutch travel. This would lead me to believe that it might be somehow connected to the flywheel (as someone previously mentioned). The reason I am not 100% sold on this is that it almost resembles the sound of fluid being moved through a line (maybe with some air in the line even)? I know that sounds weird, but after listening to this thing closely over the last 6 weeks (like 50 times), that's the only way I can describe the sound.

Typically if a bearing is out, etc, there is a very distinct sound. I'm not sure this is a bearing issue. Any ideas? (And no, it's not the power steering motor. I am more than aware of that sound.)

One thought I had was that perhaps it's a viscous clutch? Don't some cars have clutches that are "suspended" in a viscous fluid (pardon my ignorance). Would this fluid be pumped through a line (ie maybe some sort of cooling set up?). Would the pump only kick in when the clutch is released? That would explain the "moving liquid" sound, and why it only shows up when clutch is released. Again, this is pure, blind, speculation. Someone, please correct my ignorance.

It's not a big deal, but if it is something that could lead to a bigger deal . . .

Thoughts?

[Cooldood]

Quote: Originally Posted by seekaleak

Hi all,may have a possible problem with my MCS/JCW.
I have noticed a noise from the gearbox/clutch when the car is in neutral
and the clutch pedal not depressed.The noise stops when I press the clutch in.
Have any of you noticed this on your cars,( MCS's only ) my cooper didn't make this noise.
BMW say bring it in for a check up,but I'm wondering if it is a trait of the car.
Be grateful if you listen out for it and let me know.CHEERS

Ours went in for the exact same problem this wednesday, got a call from garage to say it was the clutch release bearing and that most MCS had this noise to some degree or another, but they would change the bearing under warrenty now or when it is due for its first service if the noise doesnt get any worse, being as we have only had the car a month we decided to wait for the service plus if anything does fail its under warrenty any way

[RedUn]

I believe it's known as a thrust bearing if thats any help to ya'll

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyB

You had a new gearbox fitted? Or just the clutch?

Gearbox, Clutch and Flywheel !